School Shooting in Texas Leaves At Least 21 Victims
Following a shooting at an elementary school in Texas, at least 19 students and three adults were killed and several others were injured. Joe Biden expressed deep condolences over the incident and ordered American flags to be flown at half-mast for three days.
On Tuesday, the 3rd of Khordad (May 24), an 18-year-old gunman attacked a school in Texas, killing and injuring a large number of people. The school is located in the town of Uvalde, 135 kilometers west of San Antonio.
The German news agency DPA reported Wednesday morning, citing local authorities, that 19 victims of the incident were young elementary school children and three adults, with some of the wounded in critical condition.
Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, announced to journalists that the perpetrator has been killed and was likely shot by police officers.
He added that the shooter attacked the elementary school with a pistol and a rifle, opening fire. According to preliminary investigations, the 18-year-old acted alone in this massacre, and investigations into his possible motives are ongoing.
CNN reported that the attacker, a resident of Uvalde, first killed his grandmother and then attacked the school. This report has not yet been officially confirmed.
Joe Biden Criticizes Gun Lobby in America
Joe Biden, the President of the United States, who was en route back from a five-day Asian trip when the massacre occurred, ordered American flags to be flown at half-mast until Saturday as a sign of mourning.
After arriving at the White House, Biden strongly criticized the laws regarding gun purchases and ownership in the United States, emphasizing that American citizens must stand against the gun lobby that blocks stricter laws concerning gun ownership.
The U.S. President stressed that while stricter laws alone cannot prevent such acts, it is completely wrong that an 18-year-old can buy two firearms from a store, and stricter laws can play an important role.
Tuesday’s attack was the deadliest school shooting in Texas, though similar incidents have occurred in other U.S. states.
In December 2012, a 20-year-old armed man attacked Sandy Hook school in Connecticut, killing 20 students and six adults.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released statistics on Monday regarding shootings of civilians in public places in 2021, according to which 61 such incidents occurred in various states last year.
Public shootings in 2021 increased by 50 percent compared to the previous year, resulting in 103 deaths and 140 injuries.
Source: DW
